<p>On our way to Cincinatti from Earlham, we passed through Oxford, Ohio and drove past Miami University. Both looked absolutely beautiful. I was wondering if anyone could share some more information or insights into Miami U - looked like a great place to spend four years and not your typical "public" university.</p>
<p>I'm the about the only person in my family who did not attend Miami, although I have been forgiven my black sheep status...if I had lived in Ohio when I was in high school, I have no doubt I would have attended. I have no current insights, but I will say that Miami grads are, without a doubt, among the most loyal to their school that I've ever met. And I live in Michigan; I'd put a Miami grad against a U-M grad, in terms of loyalty, any day of the week.</p>
<p>My wife attended Miami of Ohio and loved it. It is a wonderful setting with lots of trees and open space. With about 15-20K students, it offers lots to do on campus with Cincinnati only about 45 minutes away. She was an Elementary Education major and that school is one of the best in the country (if you ever heard of a McGuffy reader, he was from Miami). Not sure about the other majors offered. One of the most unique things is that in order to preserve the appearance of the university, all the buildings are the same (kind of a salt block style read brick with dormers), dorms and educational buildings.</p>
<p>Miami is a "hot" school at our HS. We have sent several students there past few years (from NJ). Somebody posted recently that their incoming freshman class was 200 students short at this time. It is a public, state school but my understanding is they charge the same tuition for Ohio residents and out of state residents.</p>
<p>Carolyn:</p>
<p>Miami U: Upper middle class (only 33% qualify for financial aid), white (91%), and one of the most dominant frat/sorority scenes in the country.</p>
<p>NJres: Same tuition at Miami for Ohio and out-of-state residents is kind of a shell game. Tuition is the same (about $21K) but Ohio residents automatically receive a $10-12K scholarship. So the final price difference ends up the same as most public, state schools.</p>
<p>Miami is a popular school for kids from Ohio and the Chicago area. Many students in Ohio choose it over Ohio State, but most were not admitted to Michigan and friends tell me many from Milwaukee didn't get into UW-Madison. Seems like a decent education with a solid rep, but I don't value it over OSU.</p>
<p>Lovely campus, loyal alums. Known as "J Crew U," but some students who aren't preppy seem to find a way to enjoy Miami as well. </p>
<p>Ohio's state funding for higher education is very weak, and being cut all the time. So, I don't understand why they are adding an engineering program at MU. </p>
<p>I have a daughter taking an entry level microbiology course there this summer. It's taught by a grad student, reading from a power point presentation that is also available on-line. Definitely the state school experience, not a liberal arts college.</p>
<p>If you attend, be prepared for cost increases of 8 to 10% a year at this time. That would also hold for OSU, and any other state university here.</p>
<p>Definitely a big frat/sorority/athletics place. In the 80's was considered by some to be the best public college in Ohio, but its shine seems to have diminished recently and other comparable schools such as Ohio University and Kent State appear to have caught up reputation-wise. All the smaller (in comparison to Ohio State) universities have graduate programs in a variety of disciplines so you do get more of the public versus the LAC feel and experience in and out of the classroom. However, faculty in many departments are excellent and at the upper levels, course numbers and level of instruction can be first rate. Appears that for out of state students the draw would be a specific department, program or D1 athletic team.</p>
<p>chrisd, My "ears" perked up when you said your D is taking a microbiology course and is taught by a grad student, reading from powerpoint slides. Hopefully, your D is not turned off by micro by this experience. I teach micro at a community college and use powerpoint, but just for highlights and images. As a side note, I have a good friend who graduated from Miami of Ohio in the early 80s in Microbiology. She loved it there.</p>
<p>We have two close friends who graduated from MU in micro back in the late '70s, and they were happy with the school.</p>
<p>My daughter's taking the micro class this summer since our school has gone into a financial tailspin so she's trying to pick up some good coursework over the summer, and at Kent state as a post secondary student in the fall. Biology is her area of interest, and I don't think this grad student can snuff it out--I hope not!</p>
<p>She's also taking a 200 level Spanish course, and it's a much better class.</p>
<p>My D's long term b-friend attends--will be a sophomore. History with the school runs in his family (now in Ca.) and I will confirm that there is simply no more loyal alum. Also, the alums I have met (and we have 4 or 5 in our community) are all such nice people! It must be that midwest influence.
What has been said above is true. The campus is beautiful--one of it's trademarks. The town of Oxford is small and there to serve the university---all of it kind of out in the boonies. Large greek scene (30-40% of kids). but girls don't have sororities-there is kind of a weird story/myth behind that....
Athletics are big, preppy reputation. D applied and got several merit scholarships, though chose not to attend for various reasons. The Harrison scholarship is their full-ride. 40 of these are given every year to extraordinary kids and are much sought after. Make sure to finish app early if student is interested.</p>
<p>"Love and honor to Miami"
Sororities ARE very big at Miami. What they don't have are sorority HOUSES.
The sororities have "suites" --private living rooms--in the dorms. The sorority girls tend to live in the dorm where their suite is located. The story/myth was that someone left a lot of $ to the school, with the condition that they would never allow sorority houses (because of their immoral image?)</p>
<p>Carolyn-
I have a dear friend whose d. just finished her freshman year. Loved it. She is, however, into the preppy/sorority stuff (one of those places where you don't wear rthe same outfit to two diffrent rush parties-- heaven forbid). She will be living in a BRAND NEW fully furnished on campus apartment. It is slightly more expensive than the traditional dorms, but sounds wonderful. Each of the 4 apartment-mates will have their own bedroom. Share the livingroom/diningroom/kitchen/ Two full baths, I believe. They also get on campus parking there as well. Sounds like a great deal! Side story-- there are small houses that are right across from campus. very popular withthe studnets. Unfortunately there was a fire earlier this year and a few students were tragically lost. Two girls and a boy, if memory serves me (I might be wrong on that one).</p>
<p>My brother and sister-in-law went there in the late 70s and a couple of old friends have kids there today. The basic picture has been well laid out by the posts above. Very traditional students. Top departments are business, accounting and education. Has a strong and uncommon program in paper science and and a solid architecture school. </p>
<p>Overrated in Ohio and underrated everywhere else I think.</p>
<p>Miami's engineering program does not appear outstanding - except for that unique paper science program...not sure about a big demand for those grads, though. Business and related degrees and education are excellent.</p>
<p>Mol10e - I would not rank Kent State as high as Miami, OU or OSU. Kent has some very good programs - architecture, education and art (was very, very good, then went through a down period, but now coming back strong). But overall, Kent suffers from a fairly-wide perception problem, unfortunately...as the saying goes....'Ken't read, ken't write - Kent State!'</p>
<p>I'd second all of your comments, Beachy, about Miami and Kent, as well. There are decent, and way-better-than-decent, engineering programs at several other state u's in Ohio, and I can't imagine what Miami thinks they're going to offer that doesn't already exist. Sad to say, there is not a huge number of Ohio higher schoolers looking to major in engineering; MU will be competing for a small group of students. I wonder what their ABET status is, since they already have that paper program? </p>
<p>Over the years, I've come to see our Ohio state u's in a couple of tiers. The top tier would be OSU, OU, and Miami.</p>
<p>chrisd--
I'm not sure I understand your statement in post #11 above, about your daughter's school being in a financial tailspin so she is taking courses at Miami U. I'm probably just missing something, but would you explain...?</p>
<p>Carolyn, D#1 graduated from MUO in 3 and a half years--that's something Miami brags about--the average graduation time is 3.7 years compared with much longer at many institutions. She brought some AP with her and did an 8 credit summer internship which accelerated her grad date. But also, at least for her major, she was able to get the courses she needed when she needed them.</p>
<p>She had a great experience there--not into the Greek scene, definitely not a J. Crew type either. Because it is primarily an undergrad institution, the level of teaching and advising was excellent. Professors in her dept gave her terrific leads and opportunities which led to great things to put on the resume.</p>
<p>I'm a Miami Alum ('81) and I would agree with most of the above. Miami has always been strong in Business especially....look into Laws Hall & Associates if you are interested in Marketing...it's a great program. I was a Mass Communications Major (Broadcast Journalism) and got an internship summer between junior and senior years that launched my career. </p>
<p>I was not into the Greek scene that was very strong on campus at the time. Didn't have any trouble keeping active socially. </p>
<p>Miami is a great school...beautiful campus....personal attention from most professors.</p>